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Narayanan's body cremated

     New Delhi: The body of former President KR Narayanan who died on Wednesday after a prolonged battle against pneumonia and renal problems was cremated today on the banks of river Yamuna with full military honours amidst chanting of hymns. S Ramachandran, nephew of the former president, lit the funeral pyre in the presence of several dignitaries including President A PJ Abdul Kalam, Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. He was cremated at Karma Bhoomi, a site located next to Shanti Van, the samadhi of the country's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. On this occasion an all-religion prayer was held in which besides his family members, a large number of his friends, diplomats, politicians and VIPs joined in the prayer. A host of dignitaries across the political spectrum including former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee, V P Singh and I K Gujral, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, Union Ministers Pranab Mukherjee and Shivraj Patil paid their last respects to the departed soul. Delhi Lt Governor B L Joshi, three defence services chiefs, Gen J J Singh, Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi and Admiral Arun Prakash were also present on the occasion. At the stroke of sun set, 21 guns boomed and army bugles were played as personnel of the three armed forces sounded the last post as a mark of respect for the former president. The government had declared a week-long national mourning in respect of the former president. The national flag will fly half- mast and all official entertainment has been cancelled during the period.